M-2009 Chunma-D

North Korean APC

By Massimo Tessitori

North Korea produces an Infantry Combat Vehicle, named Model 2009 or
Chunma-D, or"Junma-Le" according to other translitterations
(Chunma or Junma = race horse, Le = fourth letter of alphabet, just
as D) based on the hull of PT-85 (this is a widely used Western designation
too, the North Korean name of the tank is Model 1981 "Shin'heung").

The PT-85 itself is based on
the North Korean VTT-323 APC, a copy of the Chinese NORINCO YM
531 (type 63); the Chinese vehicle has many components similar to the
PT-76, that can be considered the forerunner of all these vehicles.

The
Chunma-D is thought to be powered by a 6 cylinder inline, water-cooled
diesel engine of 240 hp, to have a road speeds of up to 60 km/h and
a ranges of 500 km. The suspensions use the typical torsion bars. It
has anphibious capability, and it is thought to have a speed around
10km/h in water thanks to its water jets. .

The turret of Chunma-D is identical to that of the M-2010 8x8
and 6x6 APC (see there
for close images of the turret), apart for the box-like extension of
the turret that is as high as the whole turret.

The turret, smaller than that of PT-85, left some room for an internal
compartment for some infantrymen (probably 8: one for each firing hatch,
plus 4 behind the turret). There is an hatch for the commander on the
right side of the hull, aside the driver.

A rectangular hatch with two ports, opened on each side and extended
on part of the upper plate, allow the access to the squad.

An image of vehicles taken during the parade of 2013. They appear with
a beautiful camouflage , including light greyish brown, dark brown and
probably a lighter green over the olive green base.

An image of the left side of vehicle 822 during the parade of 2013.

Many details of the side are visible, including the side doors for
the infantry.

Photos show that the roof ot the infantry and turret compartment is
a bit raised when comparet to that of the PT-85; the sides of the roof
are inclined. For comparison, the engine deck is flat, and the step
is visible here.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eb8kZLd6vb0

Some closer details of the vehicle, including the rear of the turret
(identical to that of M-2010 wheeled APC, apart for the box-like extension
on its rear that is as high as the whole turret.

The long box on the rear deck is a bit raised, connected to the plate
by pins.

Some blurried screenshoots, probably of the 2013 parade,
show some of these vehicles with an interesting camo (probably identical
to that of M-2010 wheeled APCs) and with Manpad SAM installed on the rear
of the turret.

The rear deck of the AFV seems different from that of the PT-85 in
the zone just behind the turret; from the turret to backwards, we see:

a large box, probably for storing the missile;

a central grille for the engine cooler instead of the separate
ones of the tank; it is covered by an oblique rectangular port, possibly
movable from the inside to prevent the access of water when floating;

the rear grille, probably for the fan outlet, look identical to
that of the tank;

the rear plate and fenders look identical to those of the tank.

The side inlets and rear outlets for water jets look identical to
those of the tank too.

For a comparison, here is an image of the rear of the PT-85, that looks
identical to that of Chunma-D.